127 



TURNIP. 



Diamond-back Moth. FluUila cniciferarum, Zell. ; 

 Cerostonia xylostella, Curtis. 



Plutella ckucifeeabum. — 1, caterpillar ; 2, eggs; 3-5, Diamond-back Moth, 

 natural size and magnified. 



Since the memorable appearance of Diamond-back Moth cater- 

 pillars in 1891, and a lesser, although injurious, appearance in the 

 following year, the infestation has not appeared in sufficient numbers 

 (excepting a moderate amount of presence in 1894) as to call for a 

 special report, and in one only of the intermediate years (1896) up to 

 present notice, has inquiry been sent to a sufficient amount even to 

 allow of its name standing in the list of insects noticed during each 

 year. In the course of the past season (1898), however, I have 

 received some small amount of observation of the infestation from one 

 North British locality, which is of practical interest as once again 

 referring to attention being drawn to the presence of the moth cater- 

 pillar on Turnip leafage, by the concourse of sea gulls busy amongst 

 what, on investigation, proved to be infested crop. 



On July 7th of the past season Mr. W. D. Anderson, writing from 

 Ardsheal, Ballachulish, Argyleshire, N.B., kindly sent me the follow- 

 ing note : — 



" Again, I regret to say, the Diamond-back Moth is attacking our 

 Turnips. As in previous years, the presence of a flock of sea gulls on 

 the crop led me to inspect it closely. The leaves showed the markings 

 and holes characteristic of the ravages of this pest, but I searched for 

 some ten minutes before I came on the caterpillar herewith enclosed. 

 I think it has begun to spin. . . . Whilst writing this letter, the 

 caterpillar has moved out of what appeared to me the beginning of a 

 cocoon." — (W. D. A.) 



The specimen sent was certainly a caterpillar of the Diamond-back 

 Moth {Plutella cruciferarum). These are only about half an inch long 



